Dental Dams & Retraction Cord

When SHOULDN’T a dental dam be used?

If the patient has breathing problems, claustrophobia, allergies to latex, or mal-aligned or partially erupted teeth

Dam size for children?

5 × 5 inches

Dam size for adults?

6 × 6 inches

Stylus

The Dental Dam hole punch

Anchor Tooth

The tooth most distal to the teeth being worked on in a dental dam

Ligature

Floss tied around small objects like clamps to allow retrieval from patients throat if accidentally dropped

3 types of Dental Dam Frames?

U-Frame, Young frame, Ostby Frame

Purpose of retraction cord?

Provides mechanical retraction of gingival tissues to enable an accurate impression of gingival margin, and controls hemorrhaging

4 retraction cord methods?

Mechanical, Chemical, Surgical, Silicone/Gel

Mechanical Retraction

1-2 cords placed in gingival sulcus for 10-15 minutes. Smaller cord placed 1st, larger cord on top, or placed 2nd

Chemical Retraction

cord is impregnated with aluminum chloride or epinephrine, which is a vasoconstrictor and astringent. left in sulcus for 5 minutes

Surgical Retraction

removal of tissue using an electrosurgery unit that cauterizes at the same time. Metal wire or loop on tip which does the cutting, HVE suction used due to odor created

Silicone/Gel Material

supplied in a cartridge or capsule and dispensed into sulcus with a dispensing gum. Rinsed out prior to impression